The Verdict
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The Verdict
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Verdict is a legal drama about a disgraced lawyer living with alcohol addiction, who has a chance at redemption when he takes on a medical malpractice case. Despite his addiction, lawyer Frank Galvin (Paul Newman) makes an effort to act in the best interests of his client. However, in one scene, he is shown to be incapacitated due to his drinking, and he also hits love interest, Laura (Charlotte Rampling), to the floor. Sex is suggestive rather than shown with kissing and some non-sexual nudity featuring, alongside occasional references to intercourse. Swearing is also occasional -- mainly in the context of characters showing their upset and indignation at the prospect of justice not being served -- but does include variants of "f--k." There is very little diversity, and defense attorneys make cynical comments about Black and Jewish characters that play on stereotypes. As well as drinking, characters are also frequently shown smoking cigarettes and cigars. The movie is based on a novel by Barry Reed.
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What's the Story?
THE VERDICT follows disgraced lawyer Frank Galvin (Paul Newman) as he takes on a medical malpractice case that he hopes will salvage his reputation.
Is It Any Good?
Dated by the slew of movies and TV series that have followed, this 1982 courtroom drama, while solid enough, suffers from not delving enough into its main character. In The Verdict, Newman brings enough gravitas to the role of Galvin. But his fall from grace as a once-promising attorney is never fully explored, nor are there enough twists and turns to keep us fully engaged.
Thankfully, the movie picks up during its final act, as Galvin is pitched into the thick of a courtroom battle. Director Sidney Lumet slickly delivers this David Mamet script, but The Verdict still feels like a forced effort from all concerned. Newman has legendary form when it comes to playing antiheroes (Cool Hand Luke, Hud, and The Hustler, to name but three). It would have been interesting to see what he could've done with a bolder version of this story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Verdict depicted drinking. Why does Galvin drink so much? What were the results of his drinking? What consequences did he face? Did they seem realistic?
Talk about how the movie presented smoking. How have attitudes toward smoking changed today compared to when the movie was set? Why is that?
Discuss the strong language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How did this courtroom drama compare to more modern movies and TV shows? What are the main differences?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 17, 1982
- On DVD or streaming: June 4, 2002
- Cast: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden
- Director: Sidney Lumet
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters
- Run time: 129 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- Last updated: January 2, 2023
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